Singers sought for upcoming regional choral festival

Cheryl Arthur Kite directs a sing-along of the French folk son "Alouette" between the Heritage Chorale of Eastern North Carolina and a student audience at Epiphany School in New Bern

Bill Hand/Sun Journal

By Charlie Hall, Sun Journal Staff

Published: Friday, January 11, 2013 at 03:10 PM.

Area musicians are well into preparations for a new spring choral event — The Carolina Coast Choral Festival — in May.

The regional choral event has been in the planning since last year, according to coordinator Cheryl Kite.

“The idea is to give the singing community an educational and musical opportunity that is unique in this area,” she said.

Currently, there are about 70 singers from coastal counties committed to the project, but Kite said more are welcome.

Singers need to be registered by Jan. 18 to ensure they get a copy of their music.

The festival is scheduled May 2 to 4 at a site to be determined. Kite said the organizing group — area music directors and representatives of choral groups and churches — is also open to venues willing to host the event.

Among the participating groups are the Heritage Choral and Crystal Coastal Choral Society based in Swansboro, along with churches in the area.

Area musicians are well into preparations for a new spring choral event — The Carolina Coast Choral Festival — in May.

The regional choral event has been in the planning since last year, according to coordinator Cheryl Kite.

“The idea is to give the singing community an educational and musical opportunity that is unique in this area,” she said.

Currently, there are about 70 singers from coastal counties committed to the project, but Kite said more are welcome.

Singers need to be registered by Jan. 18 to ensure they get a copy of their music.

The festival is scheduled May 2 to 4 at a site to be determined. Kite said the organizing group — area music directors and representatives of choral groups and churches — is also open to venues willing to host the event.

Among the participating groups are the Heritage Choral and Crystal Coastal Choral Society based in Swansboro, along with churches in the area.

The festival performance is anticipated to feature more than 100 singers from several counties, a chamber orchestra with Rachel Harmatuk Pino, concertmistress, and Paul Saik, pianist/organist.

Rehearsals are Monday nights at 7 p.m. in February and April at First Baptist Church, New Bern under the leadership of the organizing committee.

The festival music includes Schubert’s Mass in B Flat, plus “Song of Exaltation,” J.N. Beck; “Grant Us Thy Peace,” Mendelssohn; “Eternal Light,” Robert Harris; “If Music Be the Food of Love,” Dickau; and “The Dream Isaiah Saw,” Rudolph.

The festival concept has been developing for several years and will provide a unique cultural opportunity for music lovers in Eastern North Carolina, according to Kite

Leading the festival will be Robert A. Harris, recently retired as professor and director of Choral Activities Emeritus at Northwestern University’s School of Music.

Harris has spent his professional life as a music and choral teacher in all levels of education, a conductor and composer, and a church choirmaster. He has taught, conducted and adjudicated throughout the United States and in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.

He taught previously at Michigan State University and Wayne State University, and was educated at Wayne State and Eastman School of Music, receiving his Ph.D from Michigan State.

He is a life member of American Choral Directors Association.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or charlie.hall@newbernsj.com.